Rest Well

Sometimes we read things that touch us in an extraordinary way; here's one such thing: "The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side." (Luke 16:22). My sisters and I miss our parents so much, and it's hard to believe how quickly the years have passed since they went to "Abraham's side" - to heaven. What comfort it is Jesus confirmed heaven is a real place and it is where The Father is and His children (His true children) will also be one day. "In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:2-3 ESV). We might "slip away" for a brief respite but a child of God never "slips" away o one "slips away" The Creator. God's Word assures us as we  live, we are engraved on the palms of His hands and we are continually before Him (Isaiah 49:16). From first to dying breath, we are in His care and keeping; then when our lives here are done, God sends His angels to bring us to our eternal home in heaven! As hard as it was to see Mom and Dad (and so many other loved ones) take their final breaths here, know they left this world in the perfect keeping of The Father and His angels ... we can rest well in that!

His Power - His Plans

What child doesn't love to blow bubbles! It's a harmless and cheap way to guarantee giggles galore. Oh, the wonder of bubbles as they slowly drift however the current leads but they always result in ... a'burstin'. There are times in life when our dreams and aspirations go ... the way of  bubbles. The enemy loves to cash-in on these times. Oh, be gone Satan because "they who wait for The Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 ESV). When loss of zeal and enthusiasm seem imminent, we take heart in knowing "it is The Lord Who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8). What comfort to know those who trust fully in The Lord are not carried about as bubbles in the wind; we abound in Hope by the power of The Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Lord, remind me, renew me day-by-day that I hope neither in my own power nor plans but I rest perfectly and completely in You and Yours ... His Power - His Plans.

Not Forsaken

Perhaps you've experienced "abandonment" when it's time to clean-up after a party or when there's no one to help with a flat tire. From the cross, Jesus cried out to The Father, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). It has been suggested by some that Jesus wasn't literally forsaken, He only felt forsaken. The Scripture is clear on what Jesus said: the Greek word "egkataleipō" is best translated "totally abandoned, deserted." In those moments of His suffering, Jesus (the sinless one) became our sin; He was forsaken so that you and I would never be forsaken. Life is hard - situations, circumstances and relationships can bring-on feelings of hopelessness and despair, leaving us with the same feelings Jesus uttered in those dark moments on the cross. Even then, Jesus was willing to suffer abandonment - it was part of God's plan for me and for you so that need never suffer in such a way. When all seems lost and hopeless, know with with the full confidence of Jesus, you we are not alone. We are ... not forsaken.

What I Need

Have you ever tried to buy a gift for someone who seems to have everything they need ... and want? It's a real dilemma! Over the years I've received a handful of gifts - greatly appreciated but neither needed nor wanted. We become anxious about many things, and one such thing is what we "think" we need. I am not too far removed from a season of life when I regularly confused what I wanted with what I actually needed! In His earliest teachings, Jesus speaks to our battle with anxiety immediately after telling us we cannot be devoted to both God and "stuff" ... "Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26 AMP). When Mister Bill and I moved several years ago, we had the task of going through forty-five years worth of stuff; during those [roughly] twenty trips to the landfill, it became a spiritual exercise in understanding the difference between ... want and need. God is the perfect Father: He knows exactly what we need and He is altogether willing and able to provide that need. It really comes down to just how much we really trust Him. Jesus sums it up for us in Verses 33-34: "But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right - the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." There's peace and contentment in giving God my wants and trusting Him with my needs. He knows ... what I need.

Fear the Lord

One of my Girls (by marriage) is an avid professional baker. She is locally known for her decorative cupcakes, sourdough breads, cakes and cookies. One thing that makes her items so popular is the quality of their ingredients! "The [reverent] fear of the LORD is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; a good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the LORD; His praise endures forever." (Psalm 111:10 AMP). Like the foundational ingredient in a recipe, the "fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." I suspect when asked "do you fear the LORD?" the quick response for most of us would be "yes, of course." Good answer, but how well is our answer reflected in our obedience to The Lord's commands? The fear of the Lord describes an obedient response, a heart humbled before Him with awe and wonder! I fear too often my own "fear of the Lord" is absent of awe and wonder of the Most High God. I'm reminded of making peanut butter cookies years ago and carelessly left out the sugar; of course, they were terrible! The psalmist says God's praise endures forever ... that's because He is to be feared - held in awe mingled with admiration inspired by the wonder of who He is. The more we do His will (obey Him), the more we learn and understand how awesome and wonderful He is. Like the delicacies of my Girl's kitchen, key ingredients are essential, they matter most ... fear the Lord!